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The 10 Best Things to do in Cape Town

Cape Town is renowned for being home to some of the world’s most scenic beauty inside a large city. Behind the hustle and bustle of Cape Town quietly lies Table Mountain, providing a stunning cityscape from the sea. But there’s plenty to see and do here beyond the icon – including day visits to the nearby Cape Winelands and Cape Point. Here are the 10 best things to do in Cape Town and why you can’t miss any of them!

1. Table Mountain

There’s no point coming to Cape Town if you don’t have some form of interaction with the glorious natural wonder that is Table Mountain. Whether you choose to climb the mountain, take the cable car (around $25 return), or appreciate it from afar, this is undoubtedly the most popular must do attraction in Cape Town.

2. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is considered to be one of the most gorgeous areas of the entire city and Cape region. There’s a lot of history here, as it was here where the Dutch and later the British arrived into Cape Town. Be sure to give yourself ample time here to appreciate the history, colonial architecture, and natural beauty with Table Mountain clearly visible in the background. One of the most popular ways to experience the waterfront is to take a sunset cruise // 90 minutes in length and often with champagne to toast the occasion.

3. Cape of Good Hope

If you have more than a couple of days in Cape Town, I would highly recommend hiring a car and taking a self-drive tour along the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Point. There are a number of group and private tours available, but having the freedom to go at your own leisure is highly recommended also.

4. Boulders Beach

If you do decide to venture along the coast, be sure to make the mandatory stop at Boulders Beach – home to many, many, many penguins. They’re a lively bunch and could even be considered to pose for tourists at times… definitely worth a visit and only a short drive outside of Cape Town itself, near Simon’s Town.

5. Lion’s Head

You know the one, the funny-looking peak sitting pretty next to Table Mountain. You can hike Lion’s Head or appreciate it from afar – usually depending on time constraints and/or fitness levels. Regardless of how you choose to experience it, Lion’s Head is a defining point in Cape Town’s skyline.

6. Robben Island

Not far out at sea one will find Robben Island – the prison that was once home to South Africa’s most famous freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela. There’s no arguing that South Africa has had a turbulent past, but the most important aspect of this is to appreciate that these trials and tribulations have shaped the future of the country. There’s still a long way to go, but now more than ever South Africans live in harmony and to better prepare for our future, we must understand the history that led us here. Therefore a very popular day trip from Cape Town is to visit Mandela’s cell on Robben Island.

7. Day Trip: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek

The Cape Wine lands are perhaps the only area I could say I love more than Cape Town itself when considering this gorgeous country. If you do decide to venture out on a day trip, be sure to stop at these two towns: Stellenbosch (40 minutes drive) and Franschhoek (20 minutes further). One of my favourite vineyards to visit, especially if you have a celebration, is Delaire Graff Vineyard. However there are also many great vineyards and homesteads in the region worth a visit.

8. Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden

Kirstenbosch is world-renowned for being the first Botanical Garden in the world built on the ethos to protect natural flora. Thus the gardens are home to many indigenous plants and offer a great insight into the South African plant life. If you’re not particularly interested in this, you will still be pleasantly surprised. This is one of my favourite Botanical Gardens in the world and having Table Mountain as a backdrop certainly helps!

9. Constantia

As one of the oldest suburbs in Cape Town, Constantia has a lot of history to offer visitors, particularly in the way of Dutch architecture. This area is also renowned for its’ wine, so if you’re a wine lover and looking to visit some fabulous wineries nearby to the city itself, then this is perhaps your best bet (but if you have longer, I would highly recommend venturing further to Stellenbosch & Franschhoek.

10. Camps Bay

Camps Bay is a residential area in Cape Town that attracts large numbers of visitors to Cape Town, particularly in the warmer months. It is one of the most expensive areas to own property in Cape Town and is thus reserved for the uber-rich both from South Africa and further abroad. There are some great restaurants here to accompany the lively beaches, so if you’re visiting in the warmer months you can’t miss it!

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I grew up in Durban, South Africa, and now live in London but my husband and I love to travel to Cape Town for holidays. I’m pleased to say I have done all 10 of your suggestions! For me, South Africa is such a warm and friendly place – you’ll fall in love with the people and culture as much as the country!

Hey Brooke, I’m heading to SA in a couple months and there has been a few South Africans who told me not to go, it’s too dangerous, and single female travellers would be a target. I’ve been in some sketchy places before and don’t feel uncomfortable going to SA. Did you ever feel uncertain or unsafe in SA?

great post! I have been to Cape Town a little over a month ago and I loved every second of it!
If you don’t have issues with exposure to heights, I can only recommend to climb Lion’s Head! It offers spectacular views, already on the way up. We did the hike in the afternoon to witness the sunset, absolutely breathtaking!
Cape Town is a very beautiful city and I will definetley go back. 🙂

Love your photos. I have to add Cape Town to my list 🙂
xo from Leipzig, Germany

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4 years ago

Guest

Alex

Hi

Did you ever make it to Cape Agulhas and the southern most tip. I drove quite a lot around SA and spent a lot of time there, seeing your images brings back some amazing memories.
have you ever been to Fiji, i can highly recommend the Coral Island resort, Tavewa Island, Fiji
Alex
x

I traveled to Cape Town last summer and I have to admit, these destinations are all pretty much a must do. I would have added whale watching/shark cage diving, but technically you have to leave Cape Town to do that. Excellent read.

I would love to go to Cape Town! I visited South Africa last year but was only in Johannesburg helping at a children’s home so I didn’t get much of a change to see the country. It was an amazing experience none the less, but I know I need to go back and see more of the place 🙂

One of my close friends is from Johannesburg, and after hearing her stories of Jo-burg and reading your lovely posts, I absolutely cannot wait until I’m able to visit South Africa! It seems like a beautiful country.
-Claire, tallgirlbigworld.com

Totally agree with your list! 🙂
If you are heading for Boulders beach, I would also highly recommend to take a stop at Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town, because they are both pretty nice for a stroll and there are some good restaurants and bars (The food at Harbour House in Kalk Bay is incredibly good). 🙂

I feel that South Africa is so distant from me, but Cape Town has more aspects than I had imagined. Especially the story of Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is interesting to me…I’d never thought of South African plant life.
Thanks for an interesting post and have a nice trip, Brooke!

I have a friend from Cape Town and I never knew how beautiful her home was until these posts showed up! I’ll definitely have to plan a visit.

xx

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4 years ago

FROM THE EDITOR:

Hello, Hola, Bonjour!
My name is Brooke Saward and I have been travelling the world solo for the past seven years. Here you can find my travel inspiration & advice to help plan your own adventures or gain the confidence to travel solo. Thanks for stopping by!